What is a Commercial Endorsement?
A Commercial Endorsement (CE) can be added to several MCA / RYA Certificates of Competence / Qualifications, enabling the certificate holder to use their qualification on commercial vessels and comply with the MCA Small Craft Codes of Practice.
Which Certificates of Competence can be Commercially Endorsed?
The certificates that can be commercially endorsed fall into two groups. There are seven MCA / RYA Certificates of Competence that can be commercially endorsed:
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Power Certificate of Competence
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Sail Certificate of Competence
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail Certificate of Competence
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Power Certificate of Competence
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Sail Certificate of Competence
- MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Power Certificates of Competence
- MCA / RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence
There are also three RYA course options that can lead to a commercial endorsement:
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- RYA Dayskipper Sail & RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
- RYA Dayskipper Motor & RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
Each qualification or Certificate of Competence will allow the holder to carry out different types of work. The process for commercially endorsing any of the above MCA / RYA qualifications or Certificates of Competence is the same.
What Certificates do I need for a commercial Endorsement?
- The certificate you wish to endorse (see list above)
- One of the following two sea Survival certificates
- RYA Short Range Certificate (GMDSS/Marine Radio) or higher
- ENG1 or ML5 Medical from a Doctor
- RYA PPR- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
Having collected the above four certificates you can apply for a commercial endorsement simply by filing in the commercial endorsement application form, attaching originals of your certificates and sending the whole lot off to the RYA with the relevant fee.
Is First Aid required for a Commercial Endorsement?
To remain legal, you will also need to hold the relevant level of First Aid Certificate.
How long is a Commercial Endorsement Valid for?
The commercial endorsement is valid for five years (assuming your other certificates are kept in date). If, during that time, you pass another RYA course or MCA Certificate of Competence that can be commercially endorsed, then your commercial endorsement can be carried across free of charge.
The commercial endorsement is required by anyone who intends to use their qualification or certificate of competence commercially, including charter skippers, delivery skippers, sail or motor cruising instructors, Advanced Powerboat Instructors, sea safari skippers, wind farm skippers, the offshore industry, professional race crew, deck officers, super yacht crew, work-boat skippers and so on.
What is an STCW Endorsement
If you are working overseas then you may benefit from adding a STCW Endorsement to your Yachtmaster Offshore and/or Yachtmaster Ocean Certificates of Competence.
To add an STCW Endorsement you require the 4 basic safety modules
- STCW Elementary First Aid (EFA)*
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
- STCW Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting (FPFF)
- STCW Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
The STCW convention requires Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention certificates to be refreshed every five years.
* STCW Elementary First Aid may be replaced by the higher level STCW Medical First Aid
If you submit certificates for the STCW endorsement at the same time as applying for your commercial endorsement there will be no additional fee. If you wish to add the STCW endorsement after your commercial endorsement has been issued an additional fee applies.